FOREX NEWS: BEARS BREAK SUPPORT. THE US DOLLAR STARTS TO REGAIN ITS MOMENTUM

EUR/USD

Forex News: The ADP Non-Farm Employment report came very close to the anticipated value, so the release did not have a major impact. However, the US Dollar continued to drag the pair lower, generating a bearish session with only brief moments of upside movement.

Technical Outlook

Yesterday the pair broke 1.1825 decisively and is now finally out of the horizontal channel that confined it (1.1875 – 1.1825). This means that the bears are in control of short term price action and possibly that we will see a move closer to 1.1735. Until price gets there, we will surely see retracements to the upside but as long as price is trading below 1.1825, our view is bearish.

Fundamental Outlook

Today is a slow day for both currencies and the only notable event will be a press conference held by ECB President Mario Draghi. The conference will be presented by the Bank for International Settlements and held at the European Central Bank, in Frankfurt. The impact is hard to anticipate but caution is recommended.

GBP/USD

Bearish action continued yesterday and the pair reached the next support. Most of this behavior was due to Pound weakness generated by Brexit concerns.

Technical Outlook

The break of the confluence zone created by 1.3410 and the 50 period Exponential Moving Average can be considered a big victory for the bears, and we expect to see an extended move lower, towards 1.3320. The current level (1.3360) is a minor support but it rejected price higher yesterday, so we may see a push into 1.3410 and the 50 EMA but we don’t expect that resistance zone to be broken.

Fundamental Outlook

The Pound has a slow economic day ahead, as the United Kingdom didn’t schedule any major data releases.

[i]FOREX NEWS: BUCKLE UP FOR THE FINAL NFP REPORT OF THE YEAR
EUR/USD[/i]

Forex News: The pair continued on a downward path yesterday but price action was mostly choppy due to the lack of economic releases. The speech of ECB President Draghi did not have a strong impact on the single currency.

Technical Outlook

Bearish momentum is starting to fade as we see more and more candles with long wicks and also, the pair hasn’t made any significant advances yesterday. This suggests that a move up will soon follow but as long as the pair is trading below 1.1825 and below the 50 period Exponential Moving Average, the bias is negative. Today the US jobs data will have a strong impact on the pair’s direction, so the technical aspect will be secondary.

Fundamental Outlook

There’s nothing important on the calendar for the Euro but the US Dollar will be heavily affected by the most important US jobs report: the Non-Farm Employment Change (aka Non-Farm Payrolls). The report shows changes in the total number of employed people, excluding the farming sector and is a leading indicator of consumer spending. The time of release is 1:30 pm GMT, the expected reading is 198K (previous 261K) and higher numbers are beneficial for the US Dollar.

GBP/USD

The pair dropped into the support at 1.3320 early in yesterday’s trading session but the Pound recovered the losses after an EU official mentioned that progress has been made on Brexit negotiations.

Technical Outlook

The pair’s movement remains very dependent on any Brexit news that come out without warning but from a technical perspective, as long as price is not clearly above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average, the bias remains mostly bearish. Of course the US Dollar will be affected today by major employment data, so the technical side will be overshadowed by the release.

Fundamental Outlook

The British Manufacturing Production is today’s only notable indicator for the Pound. The report shows changes in the total value of goods produced by manufacturers and usually has a medium impact on the currency, with higher numbers strengthening it. The time of release is 9:30 am GMT and the expected change is 0.1%.

Forex News: The Non-Farm Payrolls released Friday showed a better than expected reading but the previous value was revised lower and this generated a mixed reaction and a perfect bounce at support.

Technical Outlook

The target at 1.1735 was touched Friday and price reacted to it by bouncing higher but the medium term bias remains bearish as long as the pair is trading below the 50 period Exponential Moving Average. After the current bullish retracement is complete, we expect to see a break of 1.1735 and a consequent move into 1.1700 but today will most likely be a slow day, with price trading in a relatively tight range.

Fundamental Outlook

The JOLTS Job Openings will be today’s only release worth mentioning, although this indicator has a negligible impact most of the time. It shows the monthly number of job openings, excluding the farming sector and usually strengthens the US Dollar if the actual value surpasses estimates. The time of release is 3:00 pm GMT and the forecast is 6.03 Million.

GBP/USD

Even before the U.S. jobs data came out Friday, price started to drop and the Non-Farm Payrolls added more fuel to the US Dollar, taking the pair into support. A minor bullish move was seen late in the afternoon but the session was overall bearish.

Technical Outlook

The bulls failed to take the pair above the resistance at 1.3500 and this is another blow to the medium term uptrend. The picture is mixed but the bounce at 1.3360 will most likely trigger a climb above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average and above 1.3410. However, if this resistance zone holds and rejects price, we will probably see a break of 1.3360.

Fundamental Outlook

The Pound has a lacklustre day ahead, without any notable release. This may translate into a slow and ranging trading session.

Forex News: Yesterday the economic scene was calm and without any major data releases; however, the pair continued higher at a relatively slow pace and touched the 50 period Exponential Moving Average.

Technical Outlook

The last few bullish candles are showing wicks in both their upper and lower parts, which may suggest that the retracement started at 1.1735 is coming to an end. If the 50 period EMA is surpassed, we expect to see a move into 1.1825 but at the moment it seems like the pair is lacking the strength to break that mark. A bounce lower at the 50 EMA will make 1.1735 the new target.

Fundamental Outlook

The German ZEW Economic Sentiment will be released today at 10:00 am GMT, showing the opinions of about 300 German analysts and investors regarding a 6-month outlook for the German economy. This is an indicator of economic health and optimism, thus higher numbers than the anticipated 17.9 can strengthen the Euro but the impact is usually medium.

Later in the day, at 1:30 pm GMT the US Producer Price Index will come out, showing changes in the price that producers charge for their goods and services. The forecast is a change of 0.4% and higher numbers strengthen the US Dollar because the indicator has inflationary implications.

GBP/USD

The pair had a choppy trading session yesterday, amid a lacklustre economic environment. Neither side was in clear control but an early climb was quickly reversed.

Technical Outlook

The bulls tried yesterday to move price above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average and 1.3410 resistance but the attempt resulted in a long rejection candle and a drop into the support at 1.3360. The pair’s direction today will be heavily influenced by the British inflation data, so the technical aspect will be somewhat secondary but if the pair stays below the 50 EMA, we expect to see a drop into 1.3320.

Fundamental Outlook

At 9:30 am GMT the British Consumer Price Index will be released, showing changes in the price that consumers pay for the goods and services they purchase. This is the main gauge of inflation, so higher numbers usually strengthen the Pound. The expected reading is 3.0%, same as previous.

Forex News: The Fed hiked the interest rate to <1.50% as it was widely anticipated but the Rate Statement didn’t show a hawkish stance and this allowed the pair to climb. Also, Fed Chair Yellen mentioned uncertainty about inflation in her press conference and this further weakened the US Dollar.

Technical Outlook

The pair bounced at 1.1735 support and broke the 50 period Exponential Moving Average with authority but stopped at 1.1825 at the time of writing. We expect this resistance level to be broken and price to head into 1.1875 in the near future. If the pair bounces lower from the current level but still remains above the 50 EMA, the outlook remains bullish, anticipating a move into the next resistance.

Fundamental Outlook

The ECB will announce today at 12:45 pm GMT the interest rate, which is not expected to change from the current 0.00% but the release will most likely create increased volatility. Later at 1:30 pm GMT, ECB President Mario Draghi will hold his usual press conference where he will read a prepared statement and then will answer journalists’ questions. This second part of the press conference is known to be a strong market mover, so caution is recommended because the impact cannot be anticipated.

At the same time (1:30 pm GMT) the U.S. Retail Sales are released, showing changes in the total value of sales made through retail outlets. The impact is usually high and numbers above the forecast 0.6% strengthen the US Dollar.

GBP/USD

Similar to the Euro, the Pound capitalized on the Fed rate announcement yesterday and the pair moved to the upside, surpassing the 50 period EMA and making the short-to-medium term outlook bullish.

Technical Outlook

Downside movement stalled around 1.3320 and price jumped into 1.3410 after the Fed rate announcement and press conference. The bullish momentum is likely to take the pair above the current resistance and closer to 1.3450 – 1.3500. A retracement will follow if the pair reaches these levels but as long as price is trading above the 50 EMA, our bias is bullish.

Fundamental Outlook

The first release of the day will be the British Retail Sales, scheduled at 9:30 am GMT and expected to show a change of 0.4%. The indicator usually boosts the Pound if it posts readings above forecast and the opposite is true for values below expectations.

At 12:00 pm GMT the Bank of England will announce the interest rate but since no change is anticipated for quite a long while, we expect the event to create only moderate volatility unless surprises happen.

Forex News: The ECB left the interest rate unchanged as expected and the Euro had a mixed reaction, first spiking higher and then retracing into the 50 period Exponential Moving Average. The US Dollar on the other hand, was boosted by better than expected Retail Sales and this contributed to the drop.

Technical Outlook

The pair is now showing a candle with a very long upper wick, which is a clear sign of rejection; however, the US Dollar is still lacking strong momentum and the pair is testing the 50 period EMA, so we are dealing with a ‘bounce or break’ scenario. If the Moving Average will be broken, the pair may try to break 1.1735 again and otherwise, we expect to see a move above 1.1825 and closer to 1.1875. Today we don’t have major announcements, so we may see a ranging trading session.

Fundamental Outlook

The U.S. Industrial Production will be the most notable release of the say, scheduled at 2:15 pm GMT and expected to show a value of 0.3%, lower than the previous 0.9%. The report tracks changes in the total value of goods produced by factories and has a positive impact on the greenback if it posts a higher than expected value.

GBP/USD

The Pound was boosted in the early part of yesterday’s trading session by upbeat British Retail Sales but it had a muted reaction to the BOE decision to maintain rates unchanged, as expected. Later in the session the US Dollar recovered some of the early losses and took the pair into support.

Technical Outlook

As long as the pair is trading above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average, the bounce at 1.3450 can be considered a simple retracement so the outlook remains bullish. Today’s price action will likely take place between the 50 EMA and 1.3450 and a break of one of these boundaries will probably trigger a stronger move in that direction. However, the economic calendar is light today and this could translate into a slow session.

Fundamental Outlook

The United Kingdom didn’t schedule major economic releases for today so the technical aspect will decide the pair’s direction.

Forex News: The pair came under pressure Friday after failing to break above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average and finished the week in negative territory. The US Dollar has now erased all losses incurred after the FOMC Meeting.

Technical Outlook

Price is now very close to a bullish trend line and early in today’s session we expect to see a break or a bounce at the said trend line. A bounce higher will take price into the 50 EMA and a break will probably trigger a move into 1.1700 territory but given the lack of major economic releases.

Fundamental Outlook

The Eurozone Final Consumer Price Index will be released today at 10:00 am GMT and this will be the only notable event of the day. The CPI shows changes in the price that consumers pay for the goods and services they purchase and acts as the main gauge of inflation but the Final version has a low impact; nonetheless, numbers above the forecast 1.5% usually strengthen the Euro.

GBP/USD

Friday the pair dropped on the back of Brexit concerns and lost more than 100 pips, finishing the week in negative territory. However, price is still ranging from a longer term perspective and support is still holding.

Technical Outlook

The support zone around 1.3320 – 1.3300 rejected price twice in a relatively short period and now it is being tested again. After Friday’s strong drop, we will likely see a small pullback but as long as the pair remains below the 50 period Exponential Moving Average, our bias is bearish, anticipating a break of 1.3320 and a consequent move into 1.3280.

Fundamental Outlook

The Pound has a lacklustre day ahead, without any major economic releases. Brexit talks and negotiations can affect the currency, so caution is recommended.

Forex News: The German political scene was one of the catalysts behind the pair’s push above the 50 period Exponential Moving Average seen yesterday. The US Dollar weakened on concerns regarding the long awaited U.S. tax reform bill.

Technical Outlook

The pair has climbed above the 50 EMA with strong bullish momentum and is now testing the resistance at 1.1825. If this level will be broken, we expect price to climb into 1.1875 region where the Relative Strength Index will probably become overbought, signalling a retracement. If 1.1825 will reject price lower and the bulls cannot keep it above the 50 EMA, we will probably see a return into 1.1735 during the days to come.

Fundamental Outlook

The German IFO Business Climate survey will be today’s highlight for the Euro, showing the opinions of about 7,000 businesses about a 6-month outlook for economic and business conditions in Germany. The time of release is 9:00 am GMT and the expected reading is 117.6; higher numbers show optimism, strengthening the single currency but the impact is low-to-medium.

On the US Dollar side the most notable release will be the Building Permits, scheduled at 1:30 pm GMT. This is a good indicator of future activity in the construction sector and usually a reading above the forecast 1.28M (annualized number) strengthens the greenback.

GBP/USD

US Dollar weakness was the main driver of yesterday’s price action. The pair erased most of the losses incurred Friday and is now trading above the 50 period EMA once again.

Technical Outlook

As seen from yesterday’s price behaviour, the pair doesn’t have a clear bias and all moves are reversed even if they look strong at first. Two levels are key for medium term movement: the support around 1.3320 and the resistance at 1.3450. As long as price is trading above the 50 EMA we expect it to reach 1.3450 but until one of the key levels is broken, out bias is mostly neutral.

Fundamental Outlook

The Pound has a light economic day ahead, without any major releases scheduled. Price action can be affected by Brexit negotiations so the pair remains high risk.

FOREX NEWS: RESISTANCE HOLDS, BEARISH PRESSURE INCREASES. CAN THE US DOLLAR MAKE A COMEBACK?

EUR/USD

Forex News: US Dollar weakness persisted throughout yesterday’s trading session and the pair reversed an earlier drop that found support near the 50 EMA. The German IFO Business Climate survey came slightly below expectations but the impact wasn’t major.

Technical Outlook

Currently the pair is testing 1.1825 resistance for the second time in a short while but the latest candle is showing a long wick in its upper part, which is a sign of rejection. If the current resistance cannot be broken, we expect to see a drop through the 50 period Exponential Moving Average and a move closer to 1.1735 in the near future. The pair is in a range, so we expect choppy price action until a clear breakout occurs.

Fundamental Outlook

At 3:00 pm GMT the US Existing Home Sales will be released, showing how many houses were sold during the previous month, apart from new buildings. The indicator usually has a low-to-medium impact but higher numbers than the forecast 5.53 Million (annualized number) can strengthen the US Dollar.

GBP/USD

The Pound bulls failed to keep the pair above the 50 EMA, so yesterday’s trading session was mostly controlled by the bears but price action remained choppy.

Technical Outlook

The failure to continue upward after the initial break of the 50 period EMA shows that bearish pressure is increasing and that we will most likely see a touch of 1.3320 support. The pair remains in a range from a longer term perspective and today’s direction will probably be influenced by the testimony of BOE Governor Carney.

Fundamental Outlook

At 1:15 pm GMT, Bank of England Governor Carney will testify before the Treasury Select Committee on the topic of the November Financial Stability Report. The event is likely to generate increased volatility, so caution is advised.

Forex News: The early part of yesterday’s trading session was choppy and without any major developments; however in the afternoon the Euro bulls managed to take the pair above resistance, despite a better than expected reading for the U.S. Existing Home Sales.

Technical Outlook

The pair is now trading above the resistance at 1.1875 but the bullish move was mostly triggered by the technical side rather than the fundamental because yesterday no major economic data came out. If the bulls can keep price above 1.1875, we will probably see an extended move north, with 1.1945 as target but this will be reached in more than a day probably. A quick return below 1.1875 will negate the bullish momentum and will make 1.1825 the first target.

Fundamental Outlook

The main event today will be the release of the Final version of the US Gross Domestic Product, scheduled at 1:30 pm GMT. The GDP measures the annualized change in the total value of services and goods generated by the economy and acts as the main gauge of economic performance but the Final version tends to have the lowest impact. The expected reading is 3.3%, same as previous and higher numbers strengthen the greenback.

GBP/USD

Price action remained choppy throughout yesterday’s session and the testimony of BOE Governor Carney went mostly unnoticed. However the pair climbed above the 50 period EMA and the bias was bullish.

Technical Outlook

Lately the pair’s movement is lacking a clear direction and the 50 period Exponential Moving Average is moving almost flat, further showing that the pair is in range mode. Upside momentum is almost non-existent so if the pair cannot break the previous top at 1.3420, we expect to see a drop through the 50 EMA, en route to 1.3320 area.

Fundamental Outlook

The only notable Pound affecting release will be the Public Sector Net Borrowing, scheduled at 9:30 am GMT. It shows the difference between spending and income for the Government and public corporations but has a medium-to-low impact on the currency; higher values than the forecast 8.3 Billion are beneficial for the Pound because a negative number means surplus and a positive one means deficit.